Giggs (rapper)
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Nathan Thompson (born 1983[1]), better known by his stage names Giggs or Hollowman, is a British rapper from Peckham, South London. He is the leader of SN1 (Spare No 1), a branch of the Peckham Black Gang[1], alongside his brother Joe Grind, Spender, YG(Young Giggs) and Gunna D. Other artists within this group include Kyze and Tiny Boost. The group's main producers are Simple, Boomblast, Unit 10, Universe and Pablo.
Biography
Early life
Born Nathan Thompson in the early 1980s, raised by a single mum and the eldest of his siblings, he grew up in a less well off family in Peckham and converted to Judaism at the age of 15. Originally nicknamed 'Giggler' because of his giggles, this was cut down to 'Giggs'. He became a father at the age of 21, but soon after spent two years in jail for gun possession.[2]
Musical career
Soon after being released from prison in 2005, Giggs started pursuing rapping as a career, instead of a hobby. Giggs and his SN1 crew started off releasing numerous mixtapes, including Hollowman Meets Blade, Welcome to Boomzville, Best of Giggs 1 and 2 and the hugely successful Ard Bodied, which featured the street anthem of 2008, "Talking the Hardest". His mixtapes have supposedly sold more than 100,000 units. This success helped his buzz expand outside London, and soon many areas across the UK were playing his music. In late 2009, Giggs was signed to XL Recordings [3].When Giggs first signed to XL Recordings, the record label was warned by members of Operation Trident to not back the London M.C. Operation Trident is the Metropolitan Police's specialist team investigating gun crime within the black community.
Walk in Da Park
Giggs released the street anthem 'Talkin the Hardest' which he isnt in 2008, which helped his growing buzz. He then released his debut independent album Walk In Da Park on 4 August 2008. The album had two official videos, for the tracks 'Uummm!!' and 'You Raised Me/Open Up'. Walk In Da Park received mainly positive reviews, and was very successful, selling out in most HMVs in the first two days of release[4]. he also is a great singer
Let Em Ave It
This is Giggs debut album under the XL Recordings label. He is currently working on the album and should be released sometime in May 2010. Current Singles released include 'Slow Songs' featuring Mike Skinner and 'Dont Go There' featuring B.o.B.. In March 2010 "Don't Go There" has entered the UK Singles Chart at #60.[5] Giggs has been working with Atlantas JBizzy and produced around four tracks, "Whippin all day" (which can be downloaded for free from www.sn1giggs.com), "Background Ting" which can be heard on the official Giggs myspace www.myspace.com/trapstargiggs and two other which are going to be available on his album. Giggs performed "Look What The Cat Dragged In" live on BBC Radio 1. "Look What The Cat Dragged In" is due to be released on 7 June 2010 on XL Recordings, and will also be included on his Let Em Ave It album, which will be released on 21 June 2010.
Business ventures
Giggs also has his own clothing brand, SN1 wear, including T-shirts, jackets and caps quoting previous lines from his songs such as "Talking the Hardest". These can be purchased from the SN1 store or the SN1wear website 'http://www.sn1wear.bigcartel.com/'. Giggs and the SN1 crew have opened a SN1 shop which can be found in Peckham Market. The shop sells clothing lines from the SN1 camp, as well as clothing from other designers. They also sell mixtapes and albums from SN1, Giggs and many UK artists.
SN1 Entertainment
Giggs has founded his own record label called SN1 Entertainment, it has not yet been confirmed whether or not it will be distributed through XL recordings. So far the only major release's on this label are Giggs debut album Walk in Da Park and Joe Grind Not Your Average Joe.
Awards
BET Award - Best UK Hip-Hop Act - 2008 [6].
Discography
Albums
- Walk in Da Park (4 August 2008) - UK #143
- Let Em Ave It (21 June 2010) XL Recordings
Mixtapes
- Spare No 1
- Hollow Grind
- Ard Bodied
- Welcome 2 boomsville
- Best Of Giggs 1(The Real Meaning)
- Best Of Giggs 2
- Best Of Giggs 3
- The Final Straw(Un-official)
- Handling Business - The Hot Cuts(Un-official)
- Hollowman Meetz Blade
- Shak And Giggs The Hardest
- Another Quick One
- Who Said That
Singles
References
- ^ a b Lester, Paul (2009-11-19). "New Band of the Day - Giggs". Guardian.co.uk. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
- ^ Morley, Paul (2010-02-22). "Paul Morley Showing off ... Giggs". guardian.co.uk. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
- ^ Giggs Signed to XL recordings
- ^ Walk In Da Park sold out
- ^ "UK Music Charts". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
- ^ UK BET AWARD